My grandma always said bad things don't last forever.

I've always felt that I'm a natural leader.

I'm a role model. I have overcome the negativity, and I'm playing.

In New York, the dunk is not the thing. To break somebody down and shoot a J-that's as big as a dunk in New York.

Sometimes I still don't know if I'm prepared to go through the entire season, dealing with the different personalities, the crowds, the politics.

There was a possibility I could have been out of the NBA. It's taught me something that was a little deeper than basketball. I'm talking about life decisions.

Lamar is just Lamar. My teammates probably can explain that a little better than I can. If I just go out there and do what I do and be myself, it shouldn't be a problem.